Customized item self-returns system

Abstract

Examples provide customized authorization of item self-returns. A customized returns manager component calculates a customized return-trust score and a per-item return value based on analysis of item data and transaction history data. If a per-user return-trust score is within an unacceptable threshold range or an item value is within an unacceptable threshold value range, a second user is assigned to assist a first user with completion of the proposed return of the selected item. If the per-user return-trust score and the item value is within an acceptable threshold range, a return authorization component authorizes unassisted self-return of the selected item. An item disposition component determines in real-time whether to permit the first user to keep the selected item or instruct the first user to return the selected item to a designated item return area prior to completion of the item return based on a set of item disposition criteria.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for customized item returns, the system comprising:
 a memory;   at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory;   a calculation component, implemented on the at least one processor, that calculates a per-user return-trust score for a selected user attempting to return a selected item based on an analysis of item data associated with the selected item and transaction history data associated with the selected user;   a return authorization component, implemented on the at least one processor, that analyzes the per-user return-trust score and the item data, including a value of the selected item and a per-item return value, using a set of authorization criteria and determines whether to authorize unassisted self-return of the selected item by the selected user based on results of the analysis;   an item disposition component, implemented on the at least one processor, that generates a set of item disposition instructions associated with the selected item in real-time based on a set of item disposition criteria and a set of item return data associated with the unassisted self-return of the selected item, including item attributes associated with the selected item, on condition the return authorization component authorizes the unassisted self-return of the selected item; and   a user interface component, implemented on the at least one processor, that outputs the set of item disposition instructions to a user device associated with the selected user, the set of item disposition instructions comprising at least one of a first instruction to leave the selected item to a designated return location or a second instruction to retain the selected item by the selected user.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a notification component, implemented on the at least one processor, that outputs a notification to a second user device associated with a second user, the notification assigning the second user to assist the selected user with completing a return of the selected item on condition the return authorization component unauthorizes the unassisted self-return of the selected item.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the calculation component, implemented on the at least one processor, that calculates the per-item return value for the selected item based on a set of item attributes and a set of item-value parameters, the set of item-value parameters comprising at least one of a maximum threshold value of the selected item, a threshold number of instances of a returned item per time-period, a threshold number of item returns in a single transaction, a set of self-return ineligible categories, a set of self-return ineligible items.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the set of item attributes comprises at least one of a category of the selected item, the value of the selected item, or an item returns history associated with the selected item, the item returns history comprising at least one of a number of instances of the selected item returned within a time-period, a number of valid returns of instances of the selected item within a predetermined time-period, or a number of invalid attempted returns of instances of the selected item within the predetermined time-period. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a notification component, implemented on the at least one processor, that outputs a disposition notification to a second user device associated with a second user on condition the selected item is returned to the designated return location and an estimated cost of restocking the selected item is below a maximum threshold, the notification comprising a restock instruction associated with the selected item.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a notification component, implemented on the at least one processor, that outputs a disposition notification to a second user device associated with a second user to send the selected item to a supplier associated with the selected item on condition the selected item is received at the designated return location and the selected item is designated as an item to be returned to the supplier.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a notification component, implemented on the at least one processor, that outputs a disposition notification to a second user device associated with a second user to dispose of the selected item on condition the selected item is received at the designated return location and the selected item is a perishable item associated with a cold-chain compliance requirement.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transaction history data comprises at least one of a method of payment utilized to complete previous transactions, a credit score associated with the selected user, an identification of any issues associated with previously returned items or user provided data associated with a returns account of the selected user. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transaction history data comprises at least one of a number of items returned by the selected user within a predetermined time-period, a number of items purchased by the selected user within the predetermine time-period, an identification of items previously returned, or a value of each item previously returned. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a communications interface component, implemented on the at least one processor, that retrieves the transaction history data from a cloud storage via a network.   
     
     
         11 . A computer-implemented method for customized item returns, the computer-implemented method comprising:
 obtaining, by a returns management component, item return data associated with a proposed return of a selected item from a user device associated with a first user, the item return data comprising an identification of the first user, item data associated with the selected item, and a user-provided reason for proposed return of the selected item;   assigning, by a task assignment component, a second user to assist the first user with completion of the proposed return of the selected item on condition a return-trust score associated with the user is within an unacceptable return-trust score threshold range or a per-item return value associated with the selected item is within an unacceptable return value threshold range;   authorizing, by a return authorization component, unassisted self-return of the selected item by the first user on condition a per-user return-trust score associated with the first user is within an acceptable return-trust score threshold range and the per-item return value associated with the selected item is within an acceptable return value threshold range;   selecting, by an item disposition component, a disposition of the selected item on condition the unassisted self-return of the selected item by the first user is authorized based on an analysis of the item return data, transaction history data associated with the first user, and the item data using a set of item disposition criteria, the disposition of the selected item comprising an instruction to return the selected item to a designated return location or an instruction to retain the selected item by the first user;   approving, by the returns management component, completion of proposed return without delivery of the selected item to the designated return location on condition the selected disposition comprises retaining the selected item by the first user; and   outputting, by a notification component, instructions to place the selected item in a designated receptacle associated with the designated return location via a user interface component associated with the user device on condition the selected disposition comprises an instruction to return the selected item to the designated return location.   
     
     
         12 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 analyzing, by a calculation component, the item return data associated with the selected item and the transaction history data associated with the first user, including a ratio of item purchases to item returns by the first user, using a set of score generation rules;   calculating, by the calculation component, an updated per-user return-trust score for the first user based on results of the analysis of the item return data and the transaction history data; and   storing the updated per-user return-trust score within a returns account associated with the first user.   
     
     
         13 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 outputting instructions to a second user device associated with the second user to dispose of the selected item on condition of return the selected item to the designated return location and an identification of the selected item as a perishable item.   
     
     
         14 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 outputting instructions a second user device associated with the second user to restock the selected item on condition the selected item is received at the designated return location and an estimated restock cost of the selected item is below a maximum threshold value.   
     
     
         15 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 outputting instructions to a second user device associated with the second user to return the selected item to a supplier associated with the selected item on condition the selected item is received at the designated return location and the selected item is designated as an item to be returned to the supplier.   
     
     
         16 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 calculating the per-item return value for the selected item based on a set of item attributes and a set of item-value parameters, the set of item-value parameters comprising at least one of a maximum threshold value of the selected item, a threshold number of instances of a returned item per time-period, a threshold number of item returns in a single transaction, a set of self-return ineligible categories, or a set of self-return ineligible items.   
     
     
         17 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 calculating the per-user return-trust score for the first user based on a number of items returned by the first user within a predetermined time-period, a number of items purchased by the first user within the predetermine time-period, an identification of items previously returned, or a value of each item previously returned.   
     
     
         18 . A system for score-based item returns authorization, the system comprising:
 a memory;   at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory;   a data storage device comprising transaction history data for an identified user and a set of item disposition rules associated with a plurality of items;   a calculation component, implemented on the at least one processor, that calculates a return-trust score associated with the identified user attempting to return a set of items from the plurality of items based on an analysis of item data associated with the set of items, item return data, and the transaction history data;   a task assignment component, implemented on the at least one processor, that assigns a second user to assist the identified user with completion of the proposed return of the set of items on condition the return-trust score is within an unacceptable return-trust score threshold range or a return value associated with the set of items is within an unacceptable return value threshold range;   a return authorization component, implemented on the at least one processor, that authorizes unassisted self-return of the set of items on condition the return-trust score associated with the identified user is within an acceptable return-trust score threshold range and the per-item return value is within an acceptable return value threshold range;   an item disposition component, implemented on the at least one processor, that generates a set of item disposition instructions associated with the selected item in real-time based on a set of item disposition criteria and the item return data associated with the unassisted self-return of the set of items on condition the return authorization component authorizes the unassisted self-return of the selected item;   a return management component, implemented on the at least one processor, that authorizes completion of the return of the set of items without return of the set of items to a designated item return area on condition an estimated restock cost associated with the set of items is within an unacceptable threshold range; and   a user interface component, implemented on the at least one processor, that outputs the set of item disposition instructions to a user device associated with the identified user, the set of item disposition instructions comprising at least one of an instruction to return the selected item to a designated return location on condition the estimated restock cost associated with the set of items is within an acceptable threshold range.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 the calculation component, implemented on the at least one processor, that calculates the per-item return value for the set of items based on a set of item attributes and a set of item-value parameters, the set of item-value parameters comprising at least one of a maximum threshold value of the selected item, a threshold number of instances of a returned item per time-period, a threshold number of item returns in a single transaction, a set of self-return ineligible categories, a set of self-return ineligible items.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 the calculation component, implemented on the at least one processor, that analyzes the item return data associated with the set of items and the transaction history data associated with the identified user, including a ratio of item purchases to item returns by the identified user, using a set of score generation rules; calculates an updated return-trust score for the identified user based on results of the analysis of the item return data and the transaction history data; and stores the updated return-trust score within a returns account associated with the identified user.